Wisycom Completes the Circuit for Gearhouse Broadcast's F1 Coverage

posted:

03/07/2015

Wisycom worked closely with Raycom and Gearhouse Broadcast to create a custom design of the MFL Wideband Optical Link

With high-velocity racing, sports presenters have to be ready to cover developments as they happen. In the world of Formula 1, those heart-stopping and iconic moments are relayed crystal clear with the help of Wisycom. Gearhouse Broadcast has been working with Sky Sports on its Formula 1 coverage since 2012. During this tenure, Gearhouse has been using Wisycom wireless microphone/IFB receivers, belt-packs and transmitters supplied by Wisycom’s UK Official Partner Raycom, to deliver pristine audio coverage for viewers and the crew lap after lap. This past year, Wisycom worked closely with Raycom and Gearhouse Broadcast to create a custom design of the MFL Wideband Optical Link – the MFL Fiberbox, which was employed at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

When you are in charge of coverage of a fast-pace racing event such as this one, it’s important to have both clear communication between crew and talent, as well as quality audio so that viewers don’t miss a minute of the action,” says Ryan Campbell, Project Manager of Formula 1 for Gearhouse Broadcast. “Since Wisycom operates in a wide frequency band, it allows all of our wireless handheld microphones, IFBs and other devices to navigate around interference anywhere in the world. To further help keep our IFB channels clear, when this equipment is used with our custom ruggedized MFL Wideband Optical link, we are able to link all our IFB channels over fiber, keeping them in phase, which allows for ‘isofrequency’ coverage of a wide area with multiple transmission sites.”

The MFL Fiberbox BX1-4U outdoor RF-Over-Fiber solution brings the power and functionality of the Wisycom’s MFL Wideband Optical Link into a new, heavy-duty casing to withstand the rigors of on-location production. For the Barcelona event, six MFL Fiberbox cases were placed around the track to help extend the coverage area of the three pods containing a combined total of 13 MRK960 receivers, also in use at the track. The pocket MPR30IEM/IFB receivers with their unique true-diversity receivers, lock on to eight channels of IFB transmitting from the three sites.

Wisycom’s MTH400 handheld microphones are used by presenters in the field, in addition to wireless belt-packs with 1 Watt amplifiers for links back to the pods as well as for talent lavalier mics. The MTH400 microphones’ proprietary Push-to-Talk (PTT) function is an asset to the Gearhouse crew for the Spanish Grand Prix and other racing events. The feature allows operators to switch output to the main or intercom line and speak off-line with the technical team. This helps to ensure talent is in the right place, properly communicating with the crew, while keeping that communication off-air. For the broadcast, the mics’ audio is then picked up by an audio mixer employing MCR42 UHF Dual Channel Miniature Camera Receiver. Those are then mixed down from six channels, down to two channels of audio and then linked to the MRK960 receivers where they are sent out to air.

Tires may be screeching and surprises around the track may stun spectators, but for audio coverage, Wisycom’s performance is unbeatable.

About Wisycom
Wisycom is a designer and builder of the most sophisticated RF solutions for broadcast, film and live production, renowned for their durability, flexibility, reliability, practicality and cost-effective price points. Wisycom’s design process is driven by attention to detail, customer feedback and ultimate quality, from the selection of components to the manufacturing process, which takes place at the company’s Italian plants. The company prides itself on serving as a technical advisor and partner to every customer. From custom design to evaluation and dimensioning of systems, the Wisycom team stands by its customers through every step of the process.